
Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Nectar Hive: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Nectar Hive, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort 45 | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $329 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | Not scored | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Electrostatic |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | - | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth | - |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 22 h | - |
| Full charge time | 135 min | - |
| Quick charge | 15 min = 3 h | - |
| Features | ||
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 240 g | 370 g |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Model code | Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | - |
What reviewers said
Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort 45 over-ear headphones deliver strong active noise cancellation with switchable Quiet and Aware modes, wrapped in plush, comfortable padding. They provide around 22 hours of wireless playback, support multipoint Bluetooth connections, and offer a balanced, high-quality sound profile suitable for everyday listening.
- Pro:Excellent noise cancellation with multiple modes
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Pro:Solid 22-hour battery life with quick charging
- Con:No aptX or LDAC codec support (only SBC/AAC)
- Con:Micro-USB charging would be more convenient than USB-C
- Con:Single microphone limits call clarity in noisy environments
Nectar Hive
The Nectar Hive is a wired electrostatic over-ear headphone priced around $600, weighing just 370 grams. It delivers a bright neutral sound signature with a frequency response spanning 20Hz to 7kHz, offering a detailed and airy presentation that leans toward analytical clarity. This model earns high marks for its tonal balance and technical performance, making it a strong contender in its price bracket for listeners who prefer a crisp, revealing sound.
- Pro:Excellent tonal accuracy and neutrality
- Pro:Impressive technical detail retrieval
- Pro:Featherweight design for comfort
- Con:Bright tilt may be fatiguing for some
- Con:Limited bass impact due to electrostatic nature
- Con:Requires dedicated amplifier for proper use
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.